House IT workers targeted in investigation for alleged theft

WASHINGTON (AP) — House technology workers are being investigated by the U.S. Capitol Police for alleged theft, two members of Congress said Friday.

An internal probe prompted by "suspicious activity" found that "a number of House policies and procedures had been violated," Reps. Gregg Harper, R-Miss., and Robert Brady, D-Pa., said in a statement. They said the workers' access to the House computer system has been blocked.

Harper chairs the House Administration Committee, which oversees the chamber's day-to-day operations. Brady is the panel's top Democrat.

Two people familiar with the investigation said five staffers are involved.

One said the probe involves possible overbilling of hundreds of thousands of dollars. About 14 offices have been asked to change their computer security information because the workers had access to the House computer system, the person said.

There's no evidence of hacking, the person said.

No members of Congress are under investigation, and no arrests have been made, according to the U.S. Capitol Police.

The two people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to reveal information about the investigation.